Crystal River current. [volume] (Crystal, Colo.) 1886-18??, 1887-06-11
GIVING AND TAKING a LIGHT.
Tho Manner of Spanish, German. Enc
glfsh, and American Smokers.

Tho Manner of Spanish, German, En-.
glish. ana American Smokers.
There is a certain variety in the man
ner of giving and taking a light for u
cigar that is interesting to all smokers.
The Italians and French successfully
copy the Spanish style. which is the
the most graceful and elegant of all.
the only possible objection to it being
that they sometimes carry politeness
beyond a reasonable range. But. af-
ter all. it is simple and friendly enough.
The Spaniard bows and asks his neigh
Dor for light. The latter, returning
the bow. Immediately presents him
with his cigar, holding out the lighted
end at slight angle between tho thumb
and second finger. Tho other takes the
cigar and after procuring the needed
fire from it. reverses it skillfully and
returns it. the entire operation being
accompanied by another graceful bow
and each raises his hat as he turns to
go away. The Spanard always smokes
through his nose. He considers it ex-
travagant to waste any good smoke e
through his mouth, and inveterate
smokers in all countries agree with
him.
The German is more polite in asking
for light than he is in giving it. Even
with the best intentions in the latter
case his efforts have all the appearance
of reluctance. Sometimes. when ci-
gar is smoked down nearly far enough,
he throws it away Immediately after
granting the request for fire. This
among the Italians is considered rude
and boorish in the extreme. and 10
sometimes regarded as positively in
sulting.
The average Englishman before he
gives IL light, and finally acts rs if he had
achieved 3; mighty feat in condescen-
sion. Instead of lifting his hat his
hand is more likely to 60 into his pock-
ct, and he is apt to give parting puff
with an air of Indignation as he stalks
away. Possibly this comes from the
fact that he never asks for light HIM
self. and is always well armed with
matches.
The American of late. seems to be
somewhat averse to letting anyone
take Il light from his cigar. He takes
it for granted that it must be much
better than his neighbours and. not
wishing to contaminate it. The answers
ah III hlC Win uldICus
Sometimes he politely lights the match.
and in some cases he presents it with
an air good enough for any Spaniard.
But this somewhat new custom may pos
sibly be of IRISH parentage. The Irish
peasant generally strikes match for
his fireless friend or fellow traveller,
and even in gale of wind he will hold
a lighted match in the hollow of his
hands and humorously issue orders for
the capture of the precious flame.
The giving or taking of light, for
a cigar is a small affair. but little things
often reveal great deal Of the char :
acter, disposition. and breeding of
men. 1t should Away he offered cheer
fully and taken politely. In this
country it need not be done with the
extreme politeness and elegance which
may be said to be the exclusive prop
erty of the Latins. and which is prob
ably beyond the reach of colder and
more sober races; but it should be ac-
compan:ed by that good-fellowship
which is governed by common sense.
the foundation of all politeness. -Nev
York Sun.